178 The Natural Historg 



The first is the great large Owl, which is as big as a mid- 

 dling Goose, and has a prodigious large Head: It is a deli- 

 cate Feathered Bird, all the Feathers upon the Back and 

 Breast being Snow-white, and tiped with a punctal of Jet- 

 black. Thej are a bold and ravenous Bird, especially in the 

 l^ight, at which time thej make such a fearful howling, like 

 a Man, that they have often deceived Strangers, and made 

 them loose their way in the Woods, as I have been credibly 

 informed by many in those Parts. 



The second is of a Brown, or dark Ash Colour, and is as 

 large as the former. These two build their ISTests in hollow 

 Trees, where they lie concealed all the Day, but at ISTight flie 

 up and down the Woods, where they seek their Prey ; yet they 

 sometimes approach near the Planter's Dwelling Houses, and 

 kill Hens, and other Poultry. 



The third is the common Barn-Owl, about the bigness of a 

 Pigeon. This Bird has a beautiful Circle or Wreath of 

 white, soft, downy Feathers, encompassed with yellow ones, 

 passing round the Eyes, and under the Chin, so that the Eyes 

 appear sunk in the Head. The Breast, Belly, and inside of 

 the Wings are white, marked with a few dark Spots; being 

 the most elegantly coloured of all ISTight-birds. 



The fourth is the small 8creech-0wl, and is the same as 

 those in Europe. These Owls and the former, are frequently 

 attacked by other Birds, when they find them abroad in the 

 Day-time; and when they find themselves overpowered, it is 

 pleasant to see how they will place themselves on their Backs, 

 where scarce any thing is to be seen but their Beaks and 

 Tallons, in which posture they will fight, and defend them- 

 selves. The Flesh of these Birds is eaten by the Indians and 

 Negroes. It is accounted good in Palsies and Melancholly. 



The 



